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Saturday, 2 June 2012

Work, Rest and Play by Ann Evans

It's a bit like a
busman's holiday being a writer. I mean, how many other professions
actually continue to do their job after hours, just for fun?

I don't know about you,
but I seem to spend my days in front of the computer - or writing - or
reading, it's how I earn a crust. So when it's time to put my
feet up, or have a day off, what do I usually find myself doing? Yep,
you've got it – sitting in front of the computer - or writing - or
reading!

I mean, does a painter
and decorator dash home after a day of painting and decorating to
splash more paint on his walls? I don't think so! Or does a motor mechanic swop work boots
for slippers and then slide under the chassis of his car? Probably not – and
certainly not by choice!

So how come writers get
so absorbed in the whole world of writing and books that it takes over our lives. (Unless it's just me and I really need to get
out more!)

It is nice though when
you do find time to do something completely different like going out
into the countryside on a warm sunny day and relaxing with a friend
over a refreshing drink. Trying not, of course to chat about books
and writing.

Then there's visiting
the grandchildren – that's always a lovely thing to do. Oh! But
what's their favourite pastime? You've got it – reading. So it's
either Sam aged 2 perched on my lap while I read to him or Megan and
Brennan aged 7 and 5 respectively reading to me. And what's the
routine before bedtime – yup! They get a bedtime story each.

Me and my tribe - not reading!

I enjoy trying to keep
fit and visit the gym whenever I can or just go for walks. But even
before I set out I'm deciding what to think about during my walk or
gym session. Exercising, I've found is the perfect opportunity to
think up new plots or solve difficulties in something I'm working on.
It's sometimes a bit annoying if you find you've arrived back home
and you're only halfway through a particular chunk of dialogue though.

Bedtime is my reading
for relaxation time, and two great books that I've just read one
after the other were Stephen King's Under the Dome and
23.11.63 – which is based around Kennedy's assassination.

Two very long reads, so now my reading time is encroaching on
sleeping time, because I just couldn't put them down, and usually
only closed them when the book slid from my hands as a nodded off.

Last weekend, I painted
the outside brick wall of the lower part of my house. It needed
smartening up. I bought a nice big tin of red-brick paint and set to,
carefully painting every brick. Believe it or not I really enjoyed
it. The sun was shining and I was nowhere near my computer or a book
or a notepad. Not even a pencil!

Halfway through I found myself thinking that if I'd stopped and thought was a massive job
it was (a bit like writing a novel) I'd never have started. But by
doing one brick at a time, and one area at a time, it soon built up.
Just like writing a book or a story. Don't be put off by the massive
task ahead, just do it a little at a time. Brick by brick.

So even my DIY ended up
being connected to writing in a vague sort of way. I'm not
complaining though. Reading and writing - I count myself very
fortunate that I can indulge in these totally absorbing activities.

But I wonder how other
writers drag themselves away from their work – and do they really
drag themselves very far from it at all?